The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-11
Countess nalODa,
By wILKIE COLLINS
CHAPTER Xxx.

understood between US, suppose, ABOUT the
playT
Francis recalled his extraordinary expert.
encs Of that evening in the REMEMBERED room
aMy stay in Venice Is uncertain he replied
~if you have anything more to say about this
dramatic venture of yours, 1t may be as well
70 say il now. Have you decided on sub
ject already, ! know the public taste in
England better than you dol might save
you some waste Of time and trouble, II you
have not chosen your subject wiselyF
Il don't care what subject write about 50
long as write" she answered carelessly III
YOU have got "A subject in your head give IL
to me answer for the characters and the
dialogue"
''You answer for the characters and the
dialogue" Francis repeated That's bold
way OF speaking for q begnner wonder
II could shake your sublime confidence in
yourself If suggested the most ticklish sub
ject to handle which is known 10 the stagei
What do you say countess, TO entering the
lists with Shakespeare and trying drama
with a ghost in it, A true story, mind
founded on events in this very city, in which
you and are interested"
She caught him by the arm and drew him
away from the colonnade into the solitary
middle space of the square snow tell me"
she said eagerly. "Herc, where nobody Is
near us How am interested in IT. Howl
howr
Still holding MS arm, she shool; him in her
impotence to hear the coming disclosure.
For a moment be hesitated. Thus far,
amused by her ignorant belief in herself, he
had merely spoken in jest. Now, for the first
time, impressed by her irresistible earnest
ness, he began to consider what he was about
from a more serious point Of view. With her
knowledge of all that had passed in the old
palace before its transformation into hotel
it was surely possible that they might suggest
some explanation of what had happened 10
his brother and sister and himself Or, fail
ing 10 do that, she might accidentally reveal
some event IN her own experience, which,
acting as hint 10 competent dramatist,
might prove 20 be the making OF play.
The prosperity of his theatre was his one
serious object in life. IL may be on the track
OF another 'Corsican Brothers, he thought.
"A new piece Of that sort would be 4l0,OOO in
my pocket at least"
With these motives worthy Of the single
hearted devotion 10 dramatic business which
made Francis a successful managerl he re-
lated without further hesitation, what his
own experience had been, and what the ex-
perience Of his relatives had been, in the
haunted hotel He even described the out
break Of supersttious terror which had es-
capped Mrs Norbury's ignorant maid "Sad
stuff, If you look at il reasonably he re-
marked. "But there is something dramatic
in the notion CT the ghostly influence making
itself felt by the relations in succession. as
they one after another enter the fatal room
until the one chosen relative comes who will
see the uuearthly creature and know the ter
rible truth Material for play. COUNTESS
drst ratc -. .Si.al -'or "a ulav"
surrey, me sad, You are not foolish
enough TO take what have been telling you
seriously"
Her lips moved slowly As il seemed, she
was making an effort % speak o. him.
Louder he said, Il can't hear YOU
She struggled 10 recover possession of her
self y faint light began 10 soften the dull
odd stare OF her eyes. In g. moment more
lie spoke so that be could hear her
~ never thought Of the other world she
murmured in low, dull tones like woman
.alking in her sleep.
Her mind had gone back to the day Of her
asst memorable interview with Agnes: she
was slowly recalling the confession that had
escaped her, the warning words which she
had spoken at that past time. Necessarily
incapable of understanding this, Francis
'ooked at her in perplexity. She went on in
he same dull vacant tone, steadily following
,ut her own train OF thought with her heed
ess eyes OH his face, and her wandering mind
lar away from him.
~ said some trainG event would bring US
together the next time | was wrong. No
,rifiing event will bring Us tog -ther said
might lie tie person who told her what had
become Of Ferrari, if She forced me to it,
Shall feel some other influence than hersJ
viii he force me to it, When she sees him,
shall see him tool"
Her head sunk little, her heavy eyelids
iropped slowly, she heaved long, low, weary
sigh Francis put her arm IN his, and made
IN attempt TO rouse her.
"Come, countess, you are weary and over
wrought. We have had enough talking to-
light Let me see you safe back 70 your no.
ell Is it far from here"
She started when be moved ard obliged her
o move with him, as If he had suddenly
awakened her out Of deep sleep.
"Not far" she said, family. "The old ho-
eel on tho quay. My minds in a strange
tate; have forgotten the name"
"Danielisp
"Yesr'
He led her on slowly She accompanied
aim in silence as far as the end Of tue Piazet-
a. There when the full view Of the moonlit
lagoon revealed itsIf, she stopped him as he
turned toward the Riva degli Schiavoni. Il
rave something to eek you. want to wait
nd think"
She recovered her lost idea after a long
pause.
'Are you going to sleep in the room to-
lightr she asked
He told her that another traveller was in
possession OF the room that night but the
manager has reserved 1t for me tomorrow"
10 added, III wish to have il"
"No,n she said; you must give it up"
ITO whomr
ITO me-
He started "After what have told you,
10 you really wish 10 sleep in that room to-
morrow nightp